Why select Lidl for special treatment?

The rationale applied by Vince Farrugia of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, towards Lidl’s plans to open their stores on a Good Friday was perfectly correct and appropriate and Lidl responded accordingly and did not open.

However, Mr Farrugia’s apparent “Road to Damascus” moment for this unequivocal declaration actually supersedes his previous equally forthright stance and advice to his members regarding shops being allowed to remain open on this “special day”, as he rightly referred to Good Friday.

For just a few years ago his advice was diametrically opposite to that he now advocates in that he suggested that all shops should be permitted to remain open on this special day if they so chose! In any event, despite this massively contrasting volte-face, why should Mr Farrugia unilaterally single out Lidl stores to condemn their proposal to open for business on a Good Friday? Does he ever travel around our islands on a Good Friday and, if so, does he do so with his eyes wide shut? For there are a great many establishments open on this day selling all sorts of items, many of them similar to what can be purchased in a supermarket although perhaps not in the same quantity or variety. Yet surely the principle remains the same for this special day according to the doctrine preached by Mr Farrugia. So why single out Lidl for special condemnation?

I actually fully agree with the current, and seemingly capricious, suggestion of Mr Farrugia in that all shops should honour and respect this special day in our calendar by not opening on a Good Friday, but that it should not be applied selectively and thereby treat one outlet with special significance or recognition for having the temerity to propose to open.

Mr Farrugia should seek counsel in overcoming the complete reversal of his advice to members of his union and perhaps some professional help to treat the apparent onset of selective memory syndrome.